Point applicator for treating skin conditions

ABSTRACT

An applicator for treating skin conditions includes at least one treatment composition component and a discontinuity identification component. The at least one treatment composition component is configured to selectively deposit a treatment composition at a deposit location on the portion of skin. The discontinuity identification component is operably coupled to an electromagnetic energy detector. The discontinuity identification component includes circuitry configured to monitor a level of the one or more parameters as the applicator traverses the portion of skin and to control the at least one treatment composition component to selectively deposit the treatment composition to the deposit location on the portion of skin based on one or more inputs indicative of a decrease in reflection of an electromagnetic energy interrogation stimulus from the portion of skin at the deposit location.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/720,217, entitled “ROLLING APPLICATOR FOR TREATING SKIN CONDITIONS,”filed herewith, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/720,296,entitled “IMAGING APPLICATOR FOR TREATING SKIN CONDITIONS,” the contentsof both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one embodiment, an applicator includes at least one treatmentcomposition component and a discontinuity identification component. Theat least one treatment composition component is configured toselectively deposit a treatment composition at a deposit location on theportion of skin. The discontinuity identification component is operablycoupled to an electromagnetic energy detector. The discontinuityidentification component includes circuitry configured to monitor alevel of the one or more parameters as the applicator traverses theportion of skin and to control the at least one treatment compositioncomponent to selectively deposit the treatment composition to thedeposit location on the portion of skin based on one or more inputsindicative of a decrease in reflection of an electromagnetic energyinterrogation stimulus from the portion of skin at the deposit location.

In one example of the applicator, the applicator includes a controllerconfigured to determine when the one or more inputs indicate that thereflection of light from the portion of skin at the deposit location isdecreasing. In one example, the controller is configured to control theat least one treatment composition component to selectively deposit thetreatment composition by sending a signal to the at least one treatmentcomposition component. In one example, the at least one treatmentcomposition component is configured to deposit a target amount of thetreatment composition in response to receiving the signal from thecontroller. In one example, the at least one treatment compositioncomponent is configured to deposit the treatment composition for aparticular amount of time in response to receiving the signal from thecontroller. In one example, the target amount of time is based on aspeed of movement of the applicator with respect to the portion of skin.In one example, the at least one treatment composition component isconfigured to stop depositing the treatment composition in response tothe one or more inputs further indicating that reflection of theelectromagnetic energy interrogation stimulus from the portion of skinat the deposit location is no longer decreasing.

In another example of the applicator, the one or more inputs indicativeof the decrease in reflection of the electromagnetic energyinterrogation stimulus from the portion of skin at the deposit locationis indicative of the applicator encountering an edge of a treatableregion of interest of the portion of skin. In one example, the treatableregion of interest is in the stratum corneum of the portion of skin andthe treatment composition is a bleaching composition. In one example,the treatable region of interest is below the stratum corneum of theportion of skin and the treatment composition is a compositionconfigured to treat the treatable region of interest. In one example,the treatment composition component includes at least one nozzle and apropulsion device configured to propel a droplet of the treatmentcomposition out of an outlet of the at least one nozzle. In one example,the propulsion device includes one or more of a thermal propulsiondevice or a transducer propulsion device. In one example, the applicatorfurther includes a reservoir assembly including a reservoir of thetreatment composition, wherein the reservoir assembly is configured toprovide the treatment composition to the at least one treatmentcomposition component.

In another embodiment, a method of treating a portion of skin using anapplicator includes monitoring a level of the one or more spectralparameters as an applicator traverses a portion of skin and actuatingdelivery of a composition at the deposit location when the monitoring ofthe level of the one or more parameters as the applicator traverses theportion of skin is indicative that reflection of light from the portionof skin at a deposit location is decreasing.

In one example of the method, monitoring a level of the one or moreparameters as the applicator traverses the portion of skin includesgenerating one or more parameters associated with reflection of lightfrom a portion of skin as the applicator traverses a portion of skin. Inone example, monitoring a level of the one or more parameters as theapplicator traverses the portion of skin includes generating one or moreparameters associated with reflection of light from a portion of skin asthe applicator traverses the portion of skin. In one example, monitoringa level of the one or more parameters as the applicator traverses theportion of skin includes generating one or more parameters associatedwith spatially resolved spectra of the portion of skin. In anotherexample, monitoring a level of the one or more parameters as theapplicator traverses the portion of skin includes identifying a changein reflection of light from the portion of skin at a deposit location.

In one example of the method, the change of the level of the one or moreparameters indicating the decrease in reflection of light from theportion of skin at the deposit location indicates an edge portion of atreatable region of interest on the user's skin. In one example,depositing the treatment composition at the deposit location includesdepositing the treatment composition on the edge portion of thetreatable region of interest on the portion of skin. In one example, theapplicator traverses the treatable region of interest in a plurality ofdifferent directions to encounter a plurality of different edge portionsof the treatable region of interest. In one example, the method furtherincludes identifying a change of the level of the one or more parameterswhen the applicator encounters each of the plurality of different edgeportions of the treatable region of interest based on an indication of adecrease in reflection of light from the portion of skin at each of theplurality of different edge portions. In one example, depositing thetreatment composition at the deposit location includes depositing thetreatment composition on each of the plurality of different edgeportions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thedisclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as thesame become better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a rolling applicator used to treat aportion of skin;

FIGS. 2A to 2D depict embodiments of rollers capable of individuallybeing used as the roller in the rolling applicator depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an example of image data of a portion of skin generatedby cutaneous measurement components described herein;

FIGS. 4A to 4D depict an embodiment of a process of using embodiments ofthe rolling applicators described herein;

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict examples of movement of a rolling applicator, inaccordance with embodiments of the rolling applicators disclosed herein,over a portion of skin;

FIGS. 6A to 6C depict various arrangements of nozzles usable inaccordance with embodiments of the treatment composition componentembodiments described herein;

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a thermalpropulsion device usable in embodiments of the nozzles described hereinto propel treatment composition out of an outlet;

FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a transducerpropulsion device usable in embodiments of the nozzles described hereinto propel treatment composition out of an outlet;

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a method of applying treatmentcomposition to a portion of skin using embodiments of the embodiments ofrolling applicators described herein;

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a point applicator used to treat aportion of skin;

FIGS. 11A and 11B depict, respectively, movement of a point applicatorover a portion of skin and a chart showing one example of a level ofreflection monitored by the point applicator as it traverses the portionof skin;

FIGS. 12A to 12C depict examples of treatment of a region of interest ona portion of skin using embodiments of the embodiments of pointapplicators described herein;

FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment of a passive controller that is usable inembodiments of the point applicators described herein;

FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment of a method performed by embodiments ofthe embodiments of point applicators described herein;

FIGS. 15A to 15C depict an embodiment of an imaging applicator used totreat a portion of skin;

FIG. 16 depicts an example of functions performed by embodiments of theimaging applicators described herein;

FIGS. 17A and 17B depict, respectively, a chart of absorbance by melaninand hyperpigmented areas imaged on a patient's skin;

FIG. 18 depicts an embodiment of a dispenser platform that is usable inembodiments of the imaging applicators described herein; and

FIG. 19 depicts an embodiment of a method performed by embodiments ofthe imaging applicators described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings where like numerals reference like elements is intended as adescription of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter andis not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodimentdescribed in this disclosure is provided merely as an example orillustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageousover other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein arenot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter tothe precise forms disclosed.

The appearance of smooth and uniform skin is affected by a number offactors. Blemishes or patches sometimes occur within the epidermis anddermis. These blemishes or patches are typically spatially-distinctmanifestations of any number of conditions. Some examples of theseconditions include pimples (open or closed comedones), hyperpigmentation(i.e., melasma), sun related age spots (solar lentigines), and severaltypes of benign keratosis.

Traditionally, the treatment of localized skin features has involved theuniform application of a treatment composition. Chemical peels involvinga variety hydroxylated carboxylic acids are commonly used for thediminution of localized spots and irregularities. Peels are alsoperformed with trichloroacetic acid, Jessner's solution, phenol, andretinoic acid. Several treatments target hyperpigmentation specifically,such as hydroquinone, tretinoin, and azelaic acid. When applieduniformly, such chemical treatments also act on the normally pigmentedareas of the skin or regions that are not in need of any specializedtreatment. Since many of these chemicals are quite aggressive and mayhave some level of toxicity, overuse of these chemicals leads to undueirritation, inflammation, rashes, and discomfort. Therefore, a needexists to reduce the amount of unintended irritation in normal skinregions associated with uniform application of a treatment composition.

The following discussion provides examples of systems, apparatuses, andmethods for sensing and treating skin conditions using applicators toapply treatment compositions to select portions of skin. In variousembodiments, the treatment compositions described herein are one or moreof a cosmetic composition (e.g., makeup, foundation, bronzer, etc.), amedical ointment (e.g., antibacterial ointment, hydrocortisone cream,etc.), a cleanser (e.g., soap, makeup remover, etc.), or any othercomposition that is capable of being applied to a portion of skin. Invarious embodiments, a treatment composition is a liquid, anon-Newtonian substance, a gel, or any other type of composition. Inother examples, treatment compositions are capable of being selectivelydeposited onto objects, such as rollers, or directly onto a portion ofskin.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art,however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may bepracticed without some or all of the specific details. In someinstances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail inorder not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of thepresent disclosure may employ any combination of features describedherein.

Rolling Applicator

The following discussion provides examples of systems, apparatuses, andmethods for sensing and treating skin conditions using a rollingapplicator that has a roller and a cutaneous measurement component. Inone example, a cutaneous measurement component is located away from aroller to generate one or more parameters associated with a portion ofskin at least one half of the roller's circumference away from theroller. The one or more parameters are used to control selectivedepositing of treatment composition on the roller. In some examplesdescribed herein, the rolling applicator senses particular regions ofinterest on a portion of skin and selectively applies treatmentcomposition to the regions of interest.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a rolling applicator 100 used to treat aportion of skin 102. The rolling applicator 100 includes a roller 104, atreatment composition component 106, a cutaneous measurement component108, and a controller 110. As the rolling applicator 100 is moved acrossthe portion of skin 102, the roller 104 rotates about an axis 112. Theroller 104 contacts the portion of skin 102 at a contact location 114.The contact location 114 remains fixed with respect to the axis 112 asthe roller 104 rotates about the axis 112 (i.e., the contact location114 is not a particular location on the surface of the roller 104, butis the location where the roller 104 contacts the portion of skin 102regardless of any rotation of the roller 104). The roller 104 has acircumference. In one embodiment, the circumference is measured as thedistance around a cross-section of the roller 104 that is perpendicularto the axis 112 and passes through the contact location 114. Severalembodiments of rollers that are capable of being used as roller 104 inrolling applicator 100 are depicted in FIGS. 2A to 2D.

FIG. 2A depicts a front view and a side cross-sectional view of anembodiment of a roller 200 that has a cylindrical shape. The roller 200rotates about an axis 202 and contacts a portion of skin at a contactlocation 204. The cross-sectional view of the roller 200 isperpendicular to the axis 202 and passes through the contact location204. The roller 200 has a circumference 206 that, in one embodiment, iscalculated as a function of the radius 208 from the axis 202 at thecontact location 204 (i.e., C=2πr, where C is the circumference 206 atthe contact location 204 and r is the radius 208 from the axis 202 atthe contact location 204). In the case of the cylindrical roller 200,any cross-section of the roller 200 that is perpendicular to the axis202 has a radius that is the same length as the radius 208 from the axis202 at the contact location 204.

FIG. 2B depicts a front view and a side cross-sectional view of anembodiment of a roller 210 that has a spherical shape. The roller 210rotates about an axis 212 and contacts a portion of skin at a contactlocation 214. The cross-sectional view of the roller 210 isperpendicular to the axis 212 and passes through the contact location214. The roller 210 has a circumference 216 that, in one embodiment, iscalculated as a function of the radius 218 from the axis 212 at thecontact location 214 (i.e., C=2πr, where C is the circumference 216 atthe contact location 214 and r is the radius 218 from the axis 212 atthe contact location 214). In the case of the spherical roller 210, across-section of the roller 210 that is perpendicular to the axis 212but at a location other than the contact location 214 will have a radiusthat is a different length than the radius 218 from the axis 212 at thecontact location 214.

FIG. 2C depicts a front view and a side cross-sectional view of anembodiment of a roller 220 that has a cylindrical shape with roundededges. The roller 220 rotates about an axis 222 and contacts a portionof skin at a contact location 224. The cross-sectional view of theroller 220 is perpendicular to the axis 222 and passes through thecontact location 224. The roller 220 has a circumference 226 that, inone embodiment, is calculated as a function of the radius 228 from theaxis 222 at the contact location 224 (i.e., C=2πr, where C is thecircumference 226 at the contact location 224 and r is the radius 228from the axis 222 at the contact location 224). In the case of thecylindrical roller 220 with rounded corners, a cross-section of theroller 220 that is perpendicular to the axis 222 but at a location otherthan the contact location 224 will have a radius that may have the sameor a different length than the radius 228 from the axis 222 at thecontact location 224.

FIG. 2D depicts a front view and a side cross-sectional view of anembodiment of a roller 230 that has an oval shape. The roller 230rotates about an axis 232 and contacts a portion of skin at a contactlocation 234. The cross-sectional view of the roller 230 isperpendicular to the axis 232 and passes through the contact location234. The roller 230 has a circumference 236 that, in one embodiment, iscalculated as a function of the radius 238 from the axis 232 at thecontact location 234 (i.e., C=2πr, where C is the circumference 236 atthe contact location 234 and r is the radius 238 from the axis 232 atthe contact location 234). In the case of the oval roller 230, across-section of the roller 230 that is perpendicular to the axis 232but at a location other than the contact location 234 will have a radiusthat is a different length than the radius 238 from the axis 232 at thecontact location 234.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the treatment composition component 106 holdsa treatment composition 116. In various embodiments, the treatmentcomposition 116 is capable of being selectively deposited onto theroller 104. In one example, the treatment composition component includesat least one nozzle 118 that selectively deposits the treatmentcomposition on a deposit location 120. The deposit location 120 remainsfixed with respect to the axis 112 as the roller 104 rotates about theaxis 112 (i.e., the deposit location 120 is not a particular location onthe surface of the roller 104, but is the location where the at leastone nozzle 118 deposits treatment composition 116 regardless of anyrotation of the roller 104). The treatment composition component 106 isfixed with respect to the axis 112 to the roller 104 such that thecontact location 114 remains fixed with respect to the axis 112. Thedeposit location 120 is a circumferential distance 128 away from thecontact location 114. In one example, the deposit location 120 issubstantially opposite of the contact location 114 (i.e., the depositlocation 120 and the contact location 114 are located approximately attwo respective ends of a diameter of the roller 104 that passes throughthe axis 112). In this example, the circumferential distance 128 isapproximately one half of the full circumference of the roller 104.

The cutaneous measurement component 108 is configured to generate one ormore parameters associated with the portion of skin 102 that includes atarget location 122. The target location 122 is a target distance 124away from the contact location 114. The target distance 124 is greaterthan or equal to the circumferential distance 128. The target location122 is a predetermined direction from the contact location 114 that isan intended direction of movement of the rolling applicator 100 acrossthe portion of skin 102. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1,the predetermined direction is to the left of the contact location 114.

In one embodiment, the cutaneous measurement component 108 includes animager 126 that generates one or more parameters in the form of imagedata of the portion of skin 102. Representative parameters includeparameters about absorbance of electromagnetic energy, reflectance ofelectromagnetic energy, wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and thelike. In one example, the one or more parameters are determined fromimage data of one or more pixels generated by the imager 126. In otherexamples, the parameter is determined from one or more of a directwavelength measurement or a measurement of a color on a color model(e.g., the RGB [red, green, blue] color model, the CMY [cyan, magenta,yellow] or CMYK [cyan, magenta, yellow, black] color space, and thelike). In various examples, the imager 126 is any type of image sensor,such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera or a complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) camera. The imager 126 senses any typeof electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light, infraredelectromagnetic radiation, ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation, andthe like. Various features of image sensors are well-known to one ofordinary skill in the art and will not be discussed in detail here. Theimager 126 discriminates color using selective filtering, wavelengthselective absorption within multiple photodetector layers, or any othermethod.

The imager 126 generates image data representing a two-dimensional areaof the portion of skin 102. FIG. 3 depicts an example of image data 300generated by the imager 126. The image data 300 includes background 302and regions of interest (ROIs) 304. In general, ROIs are blemishes,patches, spots, discolorations, or regions of localized conditions thatoccur within the epidermis and dermis. ROIs are spatially distinctmanifestations of any number of conditions. Examples of those conditionsinclude pimples (open or closed comedones), hyperpigmentation (i.e.,melasma), sun-related age spots (solar lentigines), and several types ofbenign keratosis.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the background 302 represents normal pigmentsor colors of the portion of skin 102 and the ROIs 304 represent areas ofthe portion of skin 102 that are treated using the treatment composition116. The ROIs 304 are determined from the background 302 by selectivefiltering, by wavelength selective absorption within multiplephotodetector layers, or by any other method. In some embodiments, aspectral absorption feature for a given chromophore in skin ismanifested as dark spots on an image. In one example, the absorbance andemission characteristics of various skin conditions are included in alibrary.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the controller 110 is coupled to cutaneousmeasurement component 108. The controller 110 receives the image datagenerated by the cutaneous measurement component 108. Using the exampleof image data 300 from FIG. 3, the controller 110 determines the ROIs304 from the background 302 of the image data 300. In some embodiments,the controller 110 determines a particular skin condition associatedwith one or more of the ROIs 304 using the library of absorbance andemission characteristics of various skin conditions described above. Thecontroller 110 is also coupled to the at least one nozzle 118. Thecontroller 110 sends control signals to the at least one nozzle 118 tocontrol the selective depositing of the treatment composition 116 on thedeposit location 120 by the at least one nozzle 118. The control signalssent from the controller 110 to the at least one nozzle 118 are based atleast in part on the image data 300. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,the controller 110 is separate from both the cutaneous measurementcomponent 108 and the at least one nozzle 118. In one alternativeembodiment, the controller 110 is part of the cutaneous measurementcomponent 108 and the control signals are sent from the cutaneousmeasurement component 108 to the at least one nozzle 118. In anotheralternative embodiment, the controller 110 is part of the at least onenozzle 118 and the image data is sent from the cutaneous measurementcomponent 108 to the at least one nozzle 118.

As noted above, the cutaneous measurement component 108 is configured togenerate one or more parameters of the portion of skin 102 that includesa target location 122 and the target location 122 is a target distance124 that is equal to or greater than the circumferential distance 128.The target distance 124 allows the one or more parameters to be analyzedby the controller 110, the controller 110 to send a control signal tothe at least one nozzle 118, and the at least one nozzle 118 to deposittreatment composition 116 onto the roller 104 at the deposit location120 such that, when the roller 104 is rolled to the target location 122,the treatment composition 116 is applied to the portion of skin 102 atthe appropriate location. An example of such an operation is shown inFIGS. 4A to 4D.

FIGS. 4A to 4D depict an embodiment of a rolling applicator 400, inaccordance with the other rolling applicators described herein, forapplying treatment composition to a portion of skin 402. The rollingapplicator 400 includes a roller 404, a treatment composition component406, a cutaneous measurement component 408, and a controller 410. Therolling applicator 400 is moved from right to left, causing the roller404 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction over the portion of skin402, as shown by the arrows in FIGS. 4A to 4D. The cutaneous measurementcomponent 408 is positioned to generate one or more parameters of atarget location of the portion of skin 402 that is a target distanceaway from a contact location between the roller 404 and the portion ofskin 402. The target distance is equal to or greater a circumferentialdistance between the contact location and a deposit location on asurface of the roller 404. Each of FIGS. 4A to 4D depicts an instance ina sequence of instances of using the rolling applicator 400 to applytreatment composition to the portion of skin 402.

At the instant shown in FIG. 4A, the cutaneous measurement component 408is located over a first target location 412. The cutaneous measurementcomponent 408 generates one or more parameters associated with a firsttarget location 412. The one or more parameters associated with a firsttarget location 412 are sent from the cutaneous measurement component408 to the controller 410. The controller 410 generates a control signalbased at least in part on the one or more parameters associated with afirst target location 412 and sends the control signal to the treatmentcomposition component 406. In the particular instance depicted in FIG.4A, the control signal indicates that treatment composition from thetreatment composition component 406 should be deposited onto the roller404 at a first roller location 414. The treatment composition component406 begins depositing treatment composition onto a first roller location414 on the roller 404.

At the instant depicted in FIG. 4B, the cutaneous measurement component408 is located over a second target location 418 and the roller 404 hasmoved closer to the first target location 412. In the time between theinstances depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cutaneous measurementcomponent 408 continued to generate one or more parameters associatedwith the portion of skin 402 between the first target location 412 andthe second target location 418, and the controller 410 continues togenerate a control signal based at least in part on the image data andsends the control signal to the treatment composition component 406. Inthe particular example depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the control signalindicated that treatment composition from the treatment compositioncomponent 406 should be deposited onto the roller 404 between the firstroller location 414 and a second roller location 420. In one embodiment,such a control signal is based on a determination by the controller 410that a treatable ROI is located on the portion of skin 402 between thefirst target location 412 and the second target location 418. As shownin FIG. 4B, treatment composition 416 is located on the surface of theroller 404 between the first roller location 414 and the second rollerlocation 420. At the instant depicted in FIG. 4B, the controller 410determines that treatment of the portion of skin 402 is not neededbeyond the second target location 418 and sends a control signal to thetreatment composition component 406 to cease depositing treatmentlocation on the roller 404.

At the instant depicted in FIG. 4C, the rolling applicator 400 has beenmoved further to the left and the roller 404 has rolled over the portionof skin 402 until the first roller location 414 contacts the firsttarget location 412. At this point, the treatment composition 416 on theroller 404 begins to be transferred to the portion of skin 402. In oneembodiment, a surface of the roller 404 is made of a material thatallows the treatment composition 416 to remain on the surface of theroller 404 when the treatment composition 416 is deposited by thetreatment composition component 406, but also allows most or all of thetreatment composition 416 to be transferred to the portion of skin 402when the portion of the roller 404 with the treatment composition 416comes into contact with the portion of skin 402. In one embodiment, thesurface of the roller 404 has a texture similar to clean, healthy skin.In this embodiment, when the treatment composition 416 is transferredfrom the surface of the roller 404 to the portion of skin 402, thetransferred treatment composition 416 maintains the texture of thesurface of the roller 404 such that the transferred treatmentcomposition 416 appears like clean, healthy skin.

At the instant depicted in FIG. 4D, the rolling applicator 400 has beenmoved even further to the left and the roller 404 has rolled over theportion of skin 402 until the second roller location 420 contacts thesecond target location 418. The treatment composition 416 that hadpreviously been on the roller 404 (as shown in FIG. 4B) has beentransferred to the portion of skin 402 between the first target location412 and the second target location 418. One benefit of the user of therolling applicator 400 is shown in FIG. 4D where the treatmentcomposition 416 has been applied to the portion of skin 402 between thefirst target location 412 and the second target location 418. Asdescribed above, a treatable ROI may exist on the portion of skin 402between the first target location 412 and the second target location418. The rolling applicator 400 has applied treatment composition 416 tothe treatable ROI without over-applying treatment composition to areasof the portion of skin 402 outside of the ROI. In addition, the rollingapplicator 400 applied treatment composition 416 to the entire treatableROI without under applying treatment composition 416 by missing aportion of the treatable ROI. In other embodiments, the rollingapplicator 400 is operated continuously, applying treatment composition416 to skin conditions encountered as the roller 404 traverses skin.

In the instances depicted in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the rolling applicator 400is positioned with the cutaneous measurement component 408 over a targetlocation on the portion of skin at a target distance away from thecontact location between the roller 404 and the portion of skin 402. Thetarget distance is about equal to a circumferential distance between thecontact location between the roller 404 and the portion of skin 402 anda deposit location at which the treatment composition component 406deposits treatment composition 416 onto the roller 404. In thisembodiment, the time between the cutaneous measurement component 408generating the image data and the treatment composition component 406depositing the treatment composition is minimal. To a user of therolling applicator 400, it may appear that the treatment compositioncomponent 406 depositing the treatment composition simultaneously withor immediately after the cutaneous measurement component 408 generatesthe one or more parameters. In another embodiment, the target distanceis greater than the circumferential distance. Such an arrangement allowsfor a delay between the time that the cutaneous measurement component408 generates the one or more parameters and the treatment compositioncomponent 406 deposits the treatment composition. This delay allows timefor the controller 410 to process the image data before the treatmentcomposition component 406 deposits the treatment composition.

Movement of a rolling applicator, in accordance with embodiments of therolling applicators disclosed herein, over a portion of skin 502 isdepicted in FIG. 5A. The portion of skin 502 includes a number of ROIs504. The ROIs 504 include two particular ROIs 504 a and 504 b. Therolling applicator includes a roller and a cutaneous measurementcomponent, in accordance with other rolling applicators disclosedherein. The cutaneous measurement component is positioned to generateimage data of the portion of skin 502 at a distance equal to or greaterthan a circumferential distance of the roller. The circumferentialdistance is the distance along the roller surface between the point atwhich the roller contacts the portion of skin 502 and a deposition pointat which a treatment composition component deposits treatmentcomposition on the roller surface.

FIG. 5A depicts a contact line 506 that represents the path of a contactlocation of the rolling applicator's roller across the portion of skin502 in a direction from right to left, as indicated by the arrow. Thecontact line 506 intersects the ROI 504 a from point 508 to point 510,and the contact line 506 intersects the ROI 504 b from point 512 topoint 514. As the rolling applicator is rolled along the contact line506, the cutaneous measurement component of the rolling applicator willgenerate one or more parameters and a controller will generate controlsignals based at least in part on the one or more parameters. Thecontrol signals will be sent to the treatment composition component tocontrol selective depositing of treatment composition on the roller.

As the rolling applicator is moved from right to left along the contactline 506, a control signal based at least on the one or more parametersgenerated by the cutaneous measurement component is sent to a treatmentcomposition component. The control signal causes the treatmentcomposition component to dispense treatment composition onto thedeposition location on the roller such that the treatment composition isapplied to the ROI 504 a between the point 508 and the point 510 as theroller rolls over the ROI 504 a. The control signal also causes thetreatment composition component to stop dispensing treatment compositiononto the roller such that treatment composition is not applied to theportion of skin 502 between the point 510 and the point 512 as theroller rolls over the portion of skin 502 between the ROI 504 a and theROI 504 b. The control signal also causes the treatment compositioncomponent to dispense treatment composition onto the roller at thedeposition location such that the treatment composition is applied tothe ROI 504 b between the point 512 and the point 514 as the rollerrolls over the ROI 504 b. The control signal also causes the treatmentcomposition component to stop dispensing treatment composition onto theroller such that treatment composition is not applied to the portion ofskin 502 after the point 514.

Another example of the use of a rolling applicator on a portion of skin502 is depicted in FIG. 5B. The portion of skin 502 shown in FIG. 5Bincludes ROIs 504 c to 504 f. A contact line 516 passes through the ROIs504 c and 504 d. The contact line 516 represents the path of a contactlocation of the rolling applicator's roller across the portion of skin502 in a direction from right to left, as indicated by the arrow. FIG.5B also shows roller width lines 518 and measurement width lines 520.The roller width lines 518 are indications of the extents of the widththat the roller is capable of applying treatment composition to theportion of skin 502. The measurement width lines 520 are indications ofthe extents of the width that the cutaneous measurement component iscapable of generating the one or more parameters (e.g., a width that animage capture device can capture image data in the case where the one ormore parameters include image data). In this particular example, themeasurement width lines 520 are wider than the roller width lines 518,indicating that the one or more parameters may include information aboutROIs that cannot be treated by the roller as is continues along thecontact line 516 (e.g., ROIs 504 e and 504 f).

As the rolling applicator is moved from right to left along the contactline 516, a control signal based at least on the one or more parametersgenerated by the cutaneous measurement component is sent to a treatmentcomposition component. In some embodiments, the one or more parametersare analyzed by the controller to determine the geometries of the ROIs504 c and 504 d that are located at least partially within the rollerwidth lines 518. The control signals sends control signals to thetreatment composition component to control selective depositing oftreatment composition on the roller such that treatment composition willbe applied to the ROIs 504 c and 504 d.

The one or more parameters about the ROI 504 c are analyzed by thecontroller to determine the geometry of the ROI 504 c. In one example,the controller determines the first point 522 at which the roller willcontact the ROI 504 c, the last point 524 at which the roller willcontact the ROI 504 c, the farthest right point 526 that the roller willcontact the ROI 504 c, and the farthest left point 528 that the rollerwill contact the ROI 504 c. In this example, the control signal sent tothe treatment composition component causes the treatment compositioncomponent to selectively deposit treatment composition on the rollersuch that a rectangular shape of treatment composition on the portion ofskin 502 where the rectangular shape starts at the first point 522, hasa width from the farthest right point 526 to the farthest left point528, and ends at the last point 524. In another example, the controllerdetermines an approximate boundary of the ROI 504 c, including anyirregular curves of the boundary. In this example, the control signalsent to the treatment composition component causes the treatmentcomposition component to selectively deposit treatment composition onthe roller such that the treatment composition has the same approximateboundary determined by the controller.

The one or more parameters about the ROI 504 d are analyzed by thecontroller to determine the geometry of the ROI 504 d. For example, thecontroller determines the first point 530 at which the roller willcontact the ROI 504 d, the last point 532 at which the roller willcontact the ROI 504 d, the farthest right point 534 that the roller willcontact the ROI 504 c, and the farthest left point 536 that the rollerwill contact the ROI 504 d. The farthest left point 536 happens to belie on the roller width line 518 because the ROI 504 d extends beyondthe roller width line 518. In this example, the control signal sent tothe treatment composition component causes the treatment compositioncomponent to selectively deposit treatment composition on the rollersuch that a rectangular shape of treatment composition on the portion ofskin 502 where the rectangular shape starts at the first point 530, hasa width from the farthest right point 534 to the farthest left point536, and ends at the last point 532. In another example, the controllerdetermines an approximate boundary of the ROI 504 d, including anyirregular curves of the boundary. In this example, the control signalsent to the treatment composition component causes the treatmentcomposition component to selectively deposit treatment composition onthe roller such that the treatment composition has the same approximateboundary determined by the controller, except that the treatmentcomposition may not be applied to the area of the ROI 504 d that liesoutside of the roller width line 518.

While the above example describes that treatment composition is appliedstarting at one point and ending at another point, the actual use of arolling applicator may not be as precise. Although a particular pointmay be the ideal point to start applying treatment composition, theactual application of the treatment composition may begin near thatparticular point (either before or after the particular point).Similarly, although a particular point may be the ideal point to stopapplying treatment composition, the actual application of the treatmentcomposition may stop near that particular point (either before or afterthe particular point). In one embodiment, a rolling applicator may beconfigured to substantially cover a ROI by starting application of thetreatment composition before the point at which the roller contacts theROI and by stopping application of the treatment composition after thepoint at which the roller stops contacting the ROI.

FIGS. 6A to 6C depict a treatment composition component 600 with variousarrangements of nozzles on a lower surface 602 of the treatmentcomposition component 600. The lower surface 602 faces a roller suchthat treatment composition is dispensed from one or more nozzles on thelower surface 602 toward the roller. The various arrangements of nozzlesin FIG. 6A to 6C are usable on embodiments of treatment compositioncomponents describes herein. Moreover, in other embodiments, any otherarrangements of nozzles are used on treatment composition component 600and/or any of the other embodiments of treatment composition componentsdescribed herein.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6A, the lower surface includes anozzle 604 configured to dispense treatment composition from thetreatment composition component 600. The single nozzle 604 is located todispense the treatment composition from the treatment compositioncomponent 600 to a particular location along the roller. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 6B, a number of nozzles 606 are arranged intwo rows. The nozzles 606 are arranged to deposit treatment compositionacross a particular portion of a roller. In one example, the row ofnozzles 606 are placed over the cylindrical roller 200 depicted in FIG.2A such that the nozzles 606 deposit treatment composition along the topof the cylindrical roller 200. Such an arrangement is useful if thewidth of the treatment composition deposited on the roller varies, suchas in the example described above with respect to FIG. 5B. In thedepicted embodiment, the two rows of nozzles 606 are offset such thatlateral spacing (i.e., spacing from left to right in the depicted view)is smaller than it would be with just one single row. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 6C, a number of nozzles 608 are arranged in a circularpattern. The nozzles 608 are arranged to deposit treatment compositionacross a particular portion of a roller. In one example, the circle ofnozzles 608 are placed over the spherical roller 210 depicted in FIG. 2Bsuch that the nozzles 608 deposit treatment composition along portionsof the top of the spherical roller 210.

In various embodiments, the nozzles 604, 606, and 608 take a number offorms. For example, a diameter of any of the nozzles 604, 606, and 608is within a range from about 1 micron to about 1 millimeter. Thediameter of any of the nozzles 604, 606, and 608 depends on any numberof factors, such as the particular application (e.g., the particularregion of interest being treated), the treatment composition beingdispensed, and the like. Each of the nozzles 604, 606, and 608 includesa propulsion device that dispenses the treatment composition to aroller. Various embodiments of propulsion devices are described in FIGS.7 and 8.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a thermalpropulsion device 700 that is usable in a nozzle to propel treatmentcomposition 702 out of an outlet 704. The treatment composition 702 islocated in a treatment composition component, such as in any of thetreatment composition components described herein. The treatmentcomposition 702 flows into the thermal propulsion device 700 via one ormore inlets 706. The treatment composition 702 flows into the thermalpropulsion device 700 via the one or more inlets 706 and out of theoutlet 704 continuously such that a continuous flow of treatmentcomposition supplied by the thermal propulsion device 700. The thermalpropulsion device 700 also includes a heating element 708 that issupported by a heating substrate 710.

During operation, the heating element 708 produces a localized thermalburst to the treatment composition 702 just above the outlet 704. Thelocalized thermal burst generates a kinetic bubble 712. The burst of thekinetic bubble 712 produces pressure within the thermal propulsiondevice 700 that propels a droplet of the treatment composition 702through the outlet 704. In one example, the heating element 708 isheated by electrical pulses and formed of a metallic material with highelectrical resistance. The heating substrate 710 contains elements thatsupport the heating element 708, such as a source of power and addresscircuitry that drives the thermal propulsion device 700 to produce adroplet of treatment composition 702. The heating substrate 710 is incommunication with a controller that sends signals to the thermalpropulsion device 700 to control when the thermal propulsion device 700produces a droplet of treatment composition 702. For example, thecontroller sends a signal to the thermal propulsion device 700 such thatthe thermal propulsion device 700 produces a droplet of treatmentcomposition 702 at an appropriate time to treat a particular ROI.

FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a transducerpropulsion device 800 that is usable in a nozzle to propel treatmentcomposition 802 out of an outlet 804. The treatment composition 802 islocated in a treatment composition component, such as in any of thetreatment composition components described herein. The treatmentcomposition 802 flows into the transducer propulsion device 800 via oneor more inlets 806. The treatment composition 802 flows into the thermalpropulsion device 800 via the one or more inlets 806 and out of theoutlet 804 continuously such that a continuous flow of treatmentcomposition is supplied by the transducer propulsion device 800. Thetransducer propulsion device 800 also includes a transducer 808 that issupported by a transducer substrate 810. In one embodiment, thetransducer 808 is a piezoelectric transducer.

During operation, the transducer 808 produces a localized and pulsedmechanical displacement to the fluid to the treatment composition 802within the transducer propulsion device 800. The mechanical displacementproduced by the transducer 808 creates pressure within the transducerpropulsion device 800 and the pressure propels a droplet of treatmentcomposition 802 through the outlet 804. The mechanical displacement ofthe transducer 808 is produced by an electrical pulse across thetransducer 808. In the example where the transducer 808 is apiezoelectric transducer, the piezoelectric effect causes the transducer808 to strain (i.e., displace) in response to the electrical pulse. Thetransducer 808 is formed of a ferroelectric material that possesses anet electric polarization. The transducer substrate 810 containselements that support the transducer 808, such as a source of power andaddress circuitry that drives the transducer propulsion device 800 toproduce a droplet of treatment composition 802. The transducer substrate810 is in communication with a controller that sends signals to thetransducer propulsion device 800 to control when the transducerpropulsion device 800 produces a droplet of treatment composition 802.For example, the controller sends a signal to the transducer propulsiondevice 800 such that the transducer propulsion device 800 produces adroplet of treatment composition 802 at an appropriate time to treat aparticular ROI.

Other propulsion devices, beyond those depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, areusable with any of the applicators described herein. For example,ultrasonic liquid atomizers, such as is described in U.S. PublishedPatent Application No. 2010/0044460 A1, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety, are propulsion devices that are usable inembodiments of the applicators described herein. Any other suitablepropulsion devices are also usable with embodiments of the applicatorsdescribed herein to dispense treatment composition.

Any of the embodiments of rolling applicators described herein arecapable of being used to perform a method 900 depicted in FIG. 9. At box902, one or more parameters associated with a target location of aportion of skin are generated as a roller is rolled across the portionof skin. The one or more parameters are generated by a cutaneousmeasurement component. The cutaneous measurement component is arrangedwith respect to the roller such that the target location is a targetdistance from a contact location where the roller contacts the portionof skin. At block 904, treatment composition is selectively depositedfrom a treatment composition component onto a roller at a depositlocation based at least in part on the one or more parameters. Thedeposition location is located on the roller a circumferential distanceaway from the contact location and the target distance is equal to orgreater than the circumferential distance.

In some embodiments, the method 900 includes additional steps describedherein that are not depicted in FIG. 9. For example, at block 906, theroller of the applicator is rolled across the portion of skin such thatthe treatment composition selectively deposited on the roller is appliedto the portion of skin. In other examples, the method 900 also includesone or more steps, such as identifying a ROI from the one or moreparameters, determining a geometry of the ROI, applying the treatmentcomposition from the roller onto the portion of skin as the rollercontinues to roll across the portion of skin, or any other stepdescribed herein.

Point Applicator

The following discussion provides examples of systems, apparatuses, andmethods for sensing and treating skin conditions using a pointapplicator that has an electromagnetic energy detector and at least onetreatment composition component. In one example, the electromagneticenergy detector is configured to generate one or more parametersassociated with reflection of an electromagnetic energy interrogationstimulus from a portion of skin. In another example, the at least onetreatment composition component is configured to selectively deposit atreatment composition at a deposit location on the portion of skin. Theone or more parameters are used to control the at least one treatmentcomposition component to selectively deposit the treatment compositionto the deposit location on the portion of skin based at least in part ona change of the level of the one or more parameters indicating adecrease in reflection of electromagnetic energy interrogation stimulusfrom the portion of skin at the deposit location.

An embodiment of a point applicator 1000 is depicted in FIG. 10. Thepoint applicator 1000 includes a housing 1002 that houses treatmentcomposition 1004 for depositing onto a portion of skin 1006. The pointapplicator 1000 includes an electromagnetic energy detector 1008 thatgenerates one or more parameters associated with reflection of anelectromagnetic energy interrogation stimulus from the portion of skin1006. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic energy interrogationstimulus is ambient light that is reflected off of the portion of skin1006. In another embodiment, the electromagnetic energy interrogationstimulus is ambient light that is reflected off of the portion of skin1006. In yet another embodiment, the electromagnetic energyinterrogation stimulus is non-visible light, such as infrared orultraviolet electromagnetic energy, that is reflected off of the portionof skin 1006. The electromagnetic energy detector 1008 is configured togenerate the one or more parameters based on an area of the portion ofskin 1006 that includes a deposit location 1010.

The point applicator 1000 also includes a treatment compositioncomponent 1012 that is configured to selectively deposit a treatmentcomposition at the deposit location 1010 on the portion of skin 1006. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the point applicator 1000 includes theone treatment composition component 1012, though any number of treatmentcomposition components could be included in the point applicator 1000.The point applicator 1000 also includes a discontinuity identificationcomponent 1014 that is coupled to the electromagnetic energy detector1008 and the treatment composition component 1012. In one embodiment,the discontinuity identification component 1014 is a controller. Thediscontinuity identification component 1014 monitors a level of the oneor more parameters generated by the electromagnetic energy detector 1008as the applicator 1000 traverses the portion of skin 1006. Thediscontinuity identification component 1014 also controls the treatmentcomposition component 1012 to selectively deposit the treatmentcomposition to the deposit location 1010 on the portion of skin 1006. Inparticular, as described in greater detail below, the discontinuityidentification component 1014 also controls the treatment compositioncomponent 1012 to selectively deposit the treatment composition to thedeposit location 1010 based on one or more inputs indicative of adecrease in reflection of electromagnetic energy interrogation stimulusfrom the portion of skin 1006 at the deposit location 1010.

Another embodiment of a point applicator 1100 is depicted in FIG. 11A.The point applicator 1100 includes a housing 1102 that houses treatmentcomposition 1104 for depositing onto a portion of skin 1106. The pointapplicator 1100 includes an electromagnetic energy detector 1108 thatgenerates one or more parameters associated with reflection of anelectromagnetic energy interrogation stimulus from the portion of skin1106. The point applicator 1100 also includes a treatment compositioncomponent 1112 that is configured to selectively deposit a treatmentcomposition at a deposit location on the portion of skin 1106. The pointapplicator 1100 also includes a discontinuity identification component1114 that is coupled to the electromagnetic energy detector 1108 and thetreatment composition component 1112.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11A, the point applicator 1100 traversesthe portion of skin 1106 from the left to the right, as indicated by thearrow. While the point applicator 1100 traverses the portion of skin1106, the discontinuity identification component 1114 monitors a levelof the one or more parameters generated by the electromagnetic energydetector 1108. The portion of skin 1106 includes a region of interest1116. In the direction that the point applicator 1100 is moving, thepoint applicator will encounter a first edge 1118 of the region ofinterest 1116, pass over the region of interest 1116, and then encountera second edge 1120 of the region of interest 1116.

FIG. 11B depicts a chart showing one example of a level of reflectionmonitored by the discontinuity identification component 1114 as thepoint applicator 1100 traverses the portion of skin 1106. From each ofthe left and right sides of the chart, the monitored absorbance level isat a baseline absorbance level 1122. The baseline level absorbance 1122is measured as the point applicator 1100 traverses the portion of skin1106 that does not include the region of interest 1116. When the pointapplicator 1100 is over the middle of the region of interest 1116, themonitored absorbance level is at a lower absorbance level 1124. As thepoint applicator 1100 is moved from being over the portion of skin 1106that does not include the region of interest 1116, to being over thefirst edge 1118, and then being over the region of interest 1116, themonitored absorbance level transitions from the baseline absorbancelevel 1122 to a decreasing absorbance level 1126 and then to the lowerabsorbance level 1124. The decreasing absorbance level 1124 may startbefore, at, or after the point applicator 1100 is over the first edge1118. As the point applicator 1100 is moved from being over the regionof interest 1116, to being over the second edge 1120, and then to beingover the portion of skin 1106 that does not include the region ofinterest 1116, the monitored absorbance level transitions from the lowerabsorbance level 1124 to an increasing absorbance level 1128 and then tothe baseline absorbance level 1122. The increasing absorbance level 1128may start before, at, or after the point applicator 1100 is over thesecond edge 1120.

While the point applicator 1100 traverses the portion of skin 1106, thediscontinuity identification component 1114 monitors the level of theone or more parameters generated by the electromagnetic energy detector1108. The discontinuity identification component 1114 identifies thedecreasing absorbance level 1124, indicating that a decrease inreflection of electromagnetic energy interrogation stimulus from theportion of skin at a deposit location. In response to identifying, thediscontinuity identification component 1114 controls the treatmentcomposition component 1112 to selectively deposit treatment composition1104 on the deposit location. For example, the discontinuityidentification component 1114 sends a signal to the treatmentcomposition component 1112 to control the selective depositing of thetreatment composition 1104. In one embodiment, the treatment compositioncomponent 1112 deposits a target amount of treatment composition 1104 inresponse to receiving the signal from the discontinuity identificationcomponent 1114. In another embodiment, the treatment compositioncomponent 1112 deposits the treatment composition 1104 for a particularamount of time in response to receiving the signal from thediscontinuity identification component 1114. In one example, theparticular amount of time is based on a speed of movement of the pointapplicator 1100. In yet another embodiment, the discontinuityidentification component 1114 can control the treatment compositioncomponent 1112 to stop depositing the treatment composition 1104 inresponse to the monitored absorbance level reaching the lower absorbancelevel 1124 (i.e., in response to the one or more parameters indicatedthat the reflection of light from the portion of skin 1106 no longerdecreasing).

In one embodiment, the selectively depositing treatment composition inresponse to one or more parameters indicating a decrease in reflectionof electromagnetic energy interrogation stimulus from the portion ofskin is used to treat one or more edge portions of a region of intereston a portion of skin. FIGS. 12A to 12C depict examples of a portion ofskin 1202 and a region of interest 1204 where a point applicator is usedto treat one or more edge portions of the region of interest 1204. InFIG. 12A, the point applicator is moved in a single one-way direction1206 over the region of interest 1204. As the point applicatorapproaches the edge of the region of interest 1204, the discontinuityidentification component controls the treatment composition component toselectively deposit the treatment composition to the edge portion 1208on the region of interest 1204 of the portion of skin 1202 based on oneor more inputs indicative of a decrease in reflection of electromagneticenergy interrogation stimulus from the portion of skin 1202. Thetreatment composition component deposits an amount of the treatmentcomposition on the edge portion 1208. In certain embodiments, the amountof the treatment composition is based a predetermined amount of thetreatment composition, an amount of the treatment composition that isdeposited during a predetermined amount of time, or any other amount oftreatment composition.

FIG. 12B depicts an example of a point applicator moving over the regionof interest 1204 in a plurality of two-way directions 1210. The pointapplicator encounters the region of interest 1204 a number of times andthe point applicator deposits treatment composition on the edge portions1212 each time the point applicator encounters the region of interest1204. As shown in FIG. 12B, the edge portions 1212 cover a greaterpercentage of the total edge portion of the region of interest 1204 asthe number of times and/or directions that the point applicator crossesthe region of interest 1204 increases. FIG. 12C depicts an example ofthe treated edge portions 1212 covering the entire edge of the region ofinterest 1204, as would be the case if the number of times that thepoint applicator crosses the region of interest 1204 continued toincrease.

Using the embodiments of point applicators described herein, differenttypes of treatment compositions can be used. In one example, thetreatment composition is a bleaching composition that bleaches theregion of interest in the stratum corneum of the portion of skin. In thecase where the point applicator treats the edges of the region ofinterest (e.g., as shown in FIG. 12C), the bleaching of the edges of theregion of interest over successive treatments provides a user of thepoint applicator with a visual indication of how the treatmentcomposition is working. In other words, each time the edge portions ofthe region of interest are treated with a bleaching composition, theoverall size of the region of interest decreases, giving the user thesense that the treatment is continuing to be successful. In anotherexample, the region of interest is below the stratum corneum of theportion of skin and the treatment composition is a compositionconfigured to treat the region of interest.

The treatment composition component of embodiments of the pointapplicators described herein can take various forms. In one embodiment,the treatment composition component includes at least one nozzle and apropulsion device configured to propel a droplet of the treatmentcomposition out of an outlet of the at least one nozzle. In someexamples, the propulsion device includes a thermal propulsion device ora transducer propulsion device, such as those depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8.The treatment composition, in embodiments of point applicators describedherein, is stored in a reservoir assembly that includes a reservoir ofthe treatment composition. When used in a point applicator, thereservoir assembly provides the treatment composition to the treatmentcomposition component.

FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment of a passive discontinuity identificationcomponent 1300 that is usable in embodiments of the point applicatorsdescribed herein. The passive discontinuity identification component1300 is passive in the sense that it does not need to be powered by anexternal power source to function. The passive discontinuityidentification component 1300 receives an input signal 1302 from anelectromagnetic energy detector. The input signal 1302 is passed inparallel to a phase delay circuit 1304 and to a comparator 1306. Thecomparator 1306 compares the input signal 1302 to the signal from thephase delay circuit 1304. The comparator 1306 functions to determinewhether the input 1302 is decreasing. Such a comparison indicateswhether the reflection of electromagnetic energy interrogation stimulusfrom the portion of skin at the deposit location is decreasing. Thecomparator generates an output signal 1308 indicative of whether theinput signal 1302 is decreasing. The output signal 1308 is provided to atreatment composition component and the treatment composition componentselectively deposits treatment composition based on the output signal1308.

One benefit to having a passive discontinuity identification componentin embodiments of the point applicators described herein is that thepoint applicator is operable with relatively low power requirements. Theelectromagnetic energy detector and the treatment composition componentmay require some power to operate, but the point applicator would notuse as much power with a passive discontinuity identification componentthat the point applicator would use with a powered discontinuityidentification component. Thus, one benefit of a passive discontinuityidentification component is that the overall cost and complexity of thepoint applicator is reduced. Moreover, the point applicator may includea power source (e.g., one or more batteries) that is capable of poweringthe point applicator to dispense all of the treatment composition in thepoint applicator without recharging or replacing the power source.

Embodiments of point applicators described herein are capable of beingused to perform a method 1400 depicted in FIG. 14. At box 1402, one ormore parameters are generated where the one or more parameters generatedare associated with reflection of light from a portion of skin as theapplicator traverses the portion of skin. In one example, the one ormore parameters are generated by an electromagnetic energy detector ofan applicator. At block 1404, a level of the one or more parameters ismonitored as the applicator traverses the portion of skin. In oneexample, the level of the one or more parameters is monitored by adiscontinuity identification component of the applicator. At block 1406,one or more inputs are identified, indicating a decrease in reflectionof light from the portion of skin at a deposit location. In one example,the change of the level of the one or more parameters is identified bythe discontinuity identification component. At block 1408, treatmentcomposition is deposited at the deposit location in response to thediscontinuity identification component identifying the decrease inreflection of light from the portion of skin at a deposit location. Inone example, the treatment composition is deposited by at least onetreatment composition component of the applicator.

In some embodiments, the method 1400 includes additional steps describedherein that are not depicted in FIG. 14. In other examples, the method1400 includes one or more steps, such as depositing the treatmentcomposition on the edge portion of the treatable region of interest onthe portion of skin, moving the applicator over the treatable region ofinterest in a plurality of different directions to encounter a pluralityof different edge portions of the treatable region of interest,identifying a change of the level of the one or more parameters when theapplicator encounters each of the plurality of different edge portionsof the treatable region of interest based on an indication of a decreasein reflection of light from the portion of skin at each of the pluralityof different edge portions, and/or depositing the treatment compositionon each of the plurality of different edge portions.

Embodiments of point applicators described herein are capable of beingused to perform other methods. In one embodiment, a level of the one ormore spectral parameters is monitored as an applicator traverses aportion of skin and delivery of a composition at the deposit location isactuated when the monitoring of the level of the one or more parametersas the applicator traverses the portion of skin is indicative thatreflection of light from the portion of skin at a deposit location isdecreasing. In one example, monitoring a level of the one or moreparameters as the applicator traverses the portion of skin includesgenerating one or more parameters associated with reflection of lightfrom a portion of skin as the applicator traverses a portion of skin. Inanother example, monitoring a level of the one or more parameters as theapplicator traverses the portion of skin includes generating one or moreparameters associated with reflection of light from a portion of skin asthe applicator traverses the portion of skin. In another example,monitoring a level of the one or more parameters as the applicatortraverses the portion of skin includes generating one or more parametersassociated with spatially resolved spectra of the portion of skin. Inanother example, monitoring a level of the one or more parameters as theapplicator traverses the portion of skin includes identifying a changein reflection of light from the portion of skin at a deposit location.

Imaging Applicator

The following discussion provides examples of systems, apparatuses, andmethods for sensing and treating skin conditions using an imagingapplicator that has an electromagnetic energy interrogation componentand at least one treatment composition component. In one example, theelectromagnetic energy interrogation component includes an illuminationsource that directs an electromagnetic energy stimulus toward a portionof skin and a detector that receives electromagnetic energy from theportion of skin in response to the electromagnetic energy stimulusdirected toward the portion of skin by the illumination source. In oneexample, the at least one treatment composition component selectivelydeposits a treatment composition on the portion of skin. In anotherexample, a characteristic of electromagnetic energy received by theelectromagnetic energy interrogation component from the portion of skinis determined, the characteristic of electromagnetic energy received bythe electromagnetic energy interrogation component from the portion ofskin is determined to be associated with a treatable region of intereston the portion of skin, and the at least one treatment compositioncomponent is controlled to selectively deposit the treatment compositionto at least a portion of the treatable region of interest on the portionof skin.

An embodiment of an applicator 1500 is depicted in FIGS. 15A to 15C. Theapplicator 1500 includes an electromagnetic energy interrogationcomponent 1502 that includes an illumination source 1504 and a detector1506. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15A, the illumination source 1504includes multiple sets of illumination sources, and each of the setsincludes multiple individual illumination sources. The illuminationsource 1504 directs an electromagnetic energy stimulus toward a portionof skin. In one embodiment, the individual illumination sources arelight sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). In one embodiment,the illumination source 1504 emits electromagnetic energy at a pluralityof different peak emission wavelengths. In another embodiment, theillumination source 1504 includes first illumination sources (e.g., oneof the sets of illumination sources shown in FIG. 15A) that emitelectromagnetic energy at a first wavelength and second illuminationsources (e.g., another one of the sets of illumination sources shown inFIG. 15A) that emit electromagnetic energy at a second wavelength. Insome embodiments, the illumination source 1504 is activated to producenarrow band illumination (e.g., at a particular color) or multiplecombinations (e.g., at multiple wavelengths to produce simulated whitelight). When the illumination source 1504 is capable of directingelectromagnetic energy in a wide range of wavelengths (either atindividual wavelengths or at multiple wavelengths in the wide range),certain epidermal and dermal features will either absorb or fluorescewhen exposed to particular wavelength ranges or mixtures.

The illumination source 1504 can take a number of forms. In one example,the illumination source 1504 includes one or more Group III-V (GaAs)based LEDs that are capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation atwavelengths in a range spanning from green visible light to nearinfrared. In another example, the illumination source 1504 includes oneor more Group III-nitride blue LED solid state emitters that are capableof emitting electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths in a range spanningfrom ultraviolet to blue visible light. In one embodiment, theillumination source 1504 illuminates an area in a range of about one tothree square centimeters. In some examples, the number of individualillumination sources (e.g., the number of LEDs) can be in a range fromone to one hundred.

In one embodiment, the wavelength output of illumination source 1504 isselected based on the optical response desired from a particular skincondition. In one example, the wavelength output of illumination source1504 includes one or more gallium-indium-nitrogen (GaInN) LEDs that havea wavelength output of about 360-370 nm. Such a wavelength outputapproximates the wavelength output a Wood's lamp examination tool (about365 nm). In other embodiments, the illumination source 1504 emitselectromagnetic energy in a range of wavelengths from about 200 nm toabout 2000 nm. That range includes wavelengths in the ultraviolet range(about 350 nm) and near infrared (about 1200 nm).

The detector 1506 receives electromagnetic energy from the portion ofskin in response to the electromagnetic energy stimulus directed towardthe portion of skin by the illumination source 1504. The detector 1506can take a number of forms. In one example, the detector 1506 includesan imager, such as an RGB camera, a CMOS camera, or a CCD camera. Thedetector 1506 has sufficient resolution to detect regions of interest ona portion of skin and has a size that permits inclusion in the imagingapplicator 1500. In some embodiments, the detector 1506 discriminatescolor either by selective filtering or wavelength selective absorptionwithin multiple photodetector layers. For example, a spectral absorptionfeature for a given chromophore in skin can be manifested as dark spotson an image with properly designed illumination. In a similar example,excited fluorophores exhibit distinct emission within a wavelength band.

The imaging applicator 1500 also includes a dispenser platform 1508 thatincludes treatment composition components 1510. While the particularembodiment shown in FIG. 15A includes multiple treatment compositioncomponents 1510, the dispenser platform 1508 could include only onetreatment composition component. The treatment composition components1510 selectively deposit treatment composition to portions of skin. Inone embodiment, each of the treatment composition components 1510includes at least one nozzle and a propulsion device configured topropel a droplet of the treatment composition out of an outlet of the atleast one nozzle. In some examples, the propulsion device includes athermal propulsion device or a transducer propulsion device, such asthose depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. In one embodiment, the treatmentcomposition components 1510 are capable of depositing treatmentcomposition on the portion of skin with an accuracy in a range fromabout ±25 μm to about ±200 μm. In another embodiment, the treatmentcomposition components 1510 are made from materials that resistcorrosion or degradation from off-neutral pH or organic solvent-basedchemicals.

The imaging applicator 1500 also includes a discontinuity identificationcomponent 1512. In on example, the discontinuity identificationcomponent 1512 is a controller. The discontinuity identificationcomponent 1512 determines a treatment status based on an interrogationresponse to an electromagnetic energy stimulus. For example, theresponse to the electromagnetic energy stimulus is indicative of anabsorption difference of greater than 20%. The treatment compositioncomponents 1510 selectively deposit a treatment composition on theportion of skin responsive to one or more inputs from the discontinuitycomponent 1512 indicative of a target treatment status. In anotherexample, the response to the electromagnetic energy stimulus isindicative of an absorption difference of greater than 40%. In anotherexample, the interrogation response includes spatially resolved imageinformation or temporally resolved image information. In anotherexample, the discontinuity identification component 1512 is operablycoupled to one or more electromagnetic energy transducers. In anotherexample, the discontinuity identification component 1512 is operablycoupled to one or more components having circuitry configured to acquireone or more spatially resolved images the portion of skin. In anotherexample, the discontinuity identification component 1512 is operablycoupled to one or more components having circuitry configured to acquireone or more temporally resolved images of the portion of skin. In yetanother example, the discontinuity identification component 1512includes one or more components having circuitry configured to classifyan imaged object based on one or more inputs from the discontinuityidentification component 1512 indicative of a target treatment status.

In another embodiment, the discontinuity identification component 1512identifies a characteristic of electromagnetic energy received by theelectromagnetic energy interrogation component 1502 from the portion ofskin, determines whether the characteristic of electromagnetic energyreceived by the electromagnetic energy interrogation component 1502 fromthe portion of skin is associated with a treatable region of interest onthe portion of skin, and controls the treatment composition components1510 to selectively deposit the treatment composition to at least aportion of the treatable region of interest on the portion of skin. Inone embodiment, the discontinuity identification component 1512determines whether the characteristic of electromagnetic energy receivedby the electromagnetic energy interrogation component 1502 from theportion of skin is associated with a treatable region of interest on theportion of skin based on a set of absorbance and/or emissioncharacteristics. Examples of such absorbance and/or emissioncharacteristics include one or more of absorbance spectrum ofhemoglobin, fluorescence of tryptophan, peptide near infraredvibrational overtone absorbance, melanin absorbance, water near infraredabsorbance, keratin absorbance and fluorescence, or porphyrinfluorescence. In one example, the discontinuity identification component1512 includes or has access to a library of absorbance and/or emissioncharacteristics of various skin conditions. In one embodiment, thediscontinuity identification component 1512 executes algorithms todetermine the composition of skin features in an area of the portion ofskin. In some examples, such algorithms include CMOS signal leveldetection and RGB color or grey level image analysis.

In one embodiment, the discontinuity identification component 1512determines that the characteristic of electromagnetic energy received bythe electromagnetic energy interrogation component is a particularwavelength. For example, the particular wavelength can be a wavelengthin a particular range of electromagnetic energy (e.g., within aninfrared range, within an ultraviolet range, within a range of aparticular color of visible light, etc.). In another embodiment, thediscontinuity identification component 1512 determines that thecharacteristic of electromagnetic energy received by the electromagneticenergy interrogation component is a peak received wavelength. Forexample, electromagnetic energy received by the electromagnetic energyinterrogation component may have multiple peak wavelengths, and thediscontinuity identification component 1512 can determine that theelectromagnetic energy received by the electromagnetic energyinterrogation component has a peak received wavelength at or about aparticular wavelength. In one embodiment, the discontinuityidentification component 1512 determines that the peak receivedwavelength and a transmitted wavelength of electromagnetic energydirected toward the portion of skin by the illumination source 1504 arethe same (i.e., the same wavelength emitted toward the portion of skinby the illumination source 1504 is reflected back to the detector). Inanother embodiment, the discontinuity identification component 1512determines that the peak received wavelength and a transmittedwavelength of electromagnetic energy directed toward the portion of skinby the illumination source 1504 are different. For example, certainregions of interest fluoresce at a fluorescence wavelength ofelectromagnetic energy in response to receiving electromagnetic energyat the transmitted wavelength from the illumination source 1504.

The imaging applicator 1500 also includes a display 1514. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, the display 1514 is arranged onthe applicator 1500 in a direction that is different from a directionthat electromagnetic energy is directed from the illumination source1504. The display 1514 is controlled by a controller and is capable ofdisplaying any type of information or image. In one embodiment, thedisplay 1514 displays an indication of a reduction in size of thetreatable region of interest from a time before a previous treatment ofthe treatable region of interest. In one example, the display 1514displays an image of the current size of the treatable region ofinterest and an outline of the size of the region of interest before thelast treatment. Seeing the change in the treatable region of interestfrom previous treatments may increase the likelihood that a user of theapplicator 1500 will continue using the product. In another embodiment,the display 1514 displays an indication of the treatable region ofinterest based on the electromagnetic energy received by theelectromagnetic energy interrogation component from the portion of skin.For example, the display 1514 displays an image of the treatable regionof interest captured by the illumination source 1504. In one example,the indication of the treatable region of interest is an image of thetreatable region of interest at a scale that is larger than an actualsize of the treatable region of interest. In this example, theapplicator 1500 functions as an electronic magnifying glass such that,when a user of the illumination source 1504 places the detector 1506over a treatable region of interest, the user is able to view thetreatable region of interest on the display 1514 at a scale that islarger than the actual size of the treatable region of interest. In oneembodiment, the display 1514 reports various conditions to a useragainst baseline data. In one example, levels of hyperpigmentation andhemoglobin are reported to a user based on absorbance data relative to auser-stored historical baseline used to determine levels of erythema ormelanin absorbance.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, the applicator 1500includes a handle 1516. The handle 1516 increases convenience for a userto use the applicator 1500. In one embodiment, the handle 1516 houses atreatment composition reservoir assembly 1518. In other embodiments, thehandle 1516 houses additional components of the applicator, such as apower source (e.g., rechargeable battery), an electrical connectionusable to recharge a power source, user input mechanisms (e.g., powerbuttons, buttons that activate the electromagnetic energy interrogationcomponent 1502 and the treatment composition components 1510, etc.),indicators (e.g., a light indicating whether the applicator 1500 isoperating), and the like.

In one embodiment, various treatment composition components 1510 of theapplicator 1500 deposit different treatment compositions. In thisembodiment, the discontinuity identification component 1512 controlswhich of the different treatment compositions are deposited on theportion of skin. In one example, the discontinuity identificationcomponent 1512 selects, from the plurality of treatment compositions,the treatment composition to be deposited on the portion of skin basedin part on the characteristic of electromagnetic energy received by theelectromagnetic energy interrogation component 1502 from the portion ofskin. For example, when illuminated by the electromagnetic energyinterrogation component 1502, the first type of region of interest willfluoresce at a different wavelength while a second type of region ofinterest will reflect back the same wavelength. The discontinuityidentification component 1512 determines which treatment composition todeposit based on the wavelength received back (e.g., a treatment for thefirst type of region of interest if the fluorescence wavelength isreceived or a treatment for the second type of region of interest if theemission wavelength is received).

An example of functions performed by an embodiment of an imagingapplicator 1600 is depicted in FIG. 16. The imaging applicator 1600 canbe the same or different from the imaging applicator 1500 depicted inFIGS. 15A to 15C. The imaging applicator 1600 includes an illuminationsource 1604, a detector 1606, and treatment composition components 1610.The imaging applicator 1600 is located over a portion of skin 1620. Theillumination source 1604 directs an electromagnetic energy stimulus 1622toward the portion of skin 1620. The detector 1606 receiveselectromagnetic energy 1624 from the portion of skin 1620 in response tothe electromagnetic energy stimulus 1622 directed toward the portion ofskin 1620 by the illumination source 1604. A controller (not shown) ofthe imaging applicator 1600 determines that a characteristic of thereceived electromagnetic energy 1624 is associated with a treatableregion of interest on the portion of skin 1602. The controller controlsselective depositing of a treatment composition 1626 by at least one ofthe treatment composition components 1610 to a portion of the treatableregion of interest on the portion of skin 1620.

Embodiments of the imaging applicators described herein have the benefitof being able to identify regions of interest that may not be visible tousers. The appearance of smooth and uniform skin can be affected by anumber of factors. Blemishes or patches can occur within the epidermisand dermis that are spatially distinct manifestations of any number ofconditions. Everyday examples include pimples (open or closedcomedones), hyperpigmentation (i.e., melasma), sun related age spots(solar lentigines), several types of benign keratosis, and the like.Solar lentigines and hyperpigmentation commonly form spots that canrange from 0.2 mm to 3 mm in diameter. When fully developed, they areclearly apparent under broadband visible light illumination anddramatically evident under ultraviolet illumination at about 365 nm.This is due to that fact that age spots and hyperpigmentation possesshigher concentrations of melanin in contrast to the surrounding, lesspigmented, skin. As shown in the chart in FIG. 17A, melanin shows amonotonically increasing absorbance below 400 nm. Wavelength band passfiltering and polarization are usable to aid in detecting hyperpigmentedareas on a portion of skin. As shown in the image in FIG. 17B,hyperpigmented areas imaged in high contrast against less pigmentedadjacent regions depict regions of interest in detail. Moreover, earlystage or nascent spots are much more discernable under narrow wavelengthband ultraviolet illumination than under normal room lighting. Anotherexample is the high concentration of porphyrins in comedones. Underultraviolet excitation, porphyrins give strong fluorescence from thegreen to red portions of the visible spectrum. In general, such imagingnot only offers a method for early detection of hyperpigmentation butalso a number of dermatological and cosmetic conditions.

FIG. 18 depicts an embodiment of a dispenser platform 1808 that isusable in embodiments of the imaging applicators described herein. Thedispenser platform 1808 includes treatment composition components 1810.The dispenser platform 1808 also includes outer portions 1826 that arecapable of holding treatment composition to serve as a reservoir for thetreatment composition components 1810. In one embodiment, differentouter portions 1826 hold different treatment compositions. In anotherembodiment, each of the treatment composition components 1810 isseparately controllable by the controller. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 18, the dispenser platform 1808 includes a central void 1828 andouter voids 1830. In one embodiment, the central void 1828 permits aspace for a detector and the outer voids 1830 permit spaces forillumination sources.

Embodiments of point applicators described herein are capable of beingused to perform a method 1900 depicted in FIG. 19. At block 1902, anelectromagnetic energy stimulus is emitted toward a portion of skin. Inone example, the electromagnetic energy stimulus is emitted toward aportion of skin by an electromagnetic energy interrogation component ofthe applicator. At block 1904, electromagnetic energy is received fromthe portion of skin in response to the electromagnetic energy stimulusdirected toward the portion of skin by the illumination source. In oneexample, the electromagnetic energy is received by the electromagneticenergy interrogation component of the applicator. At block 1906, acharacteristic of the electromagnetic energy received by theelectromagnetic energy interrogation component from the portion of skinis determined to be associated with a treatable region of interest onthe portion of skin. In one example, a controller of the applicatordetermines that the characteristic of the electromagnetic energyreceived by the electromagnetic energy interrogation component from theportion of skin is associated with the treatable region of interest onthe portion of skin. At block 1908, a treatment composition isselectively deposited to at least a portion of the treatable region ofinterest on the portion of skin. In one example, the treatmentcomposition is selectively deposited by at least one treatmentcomposition component of the applicator.

In some embodiments, the method 1900 includes additional steps describedherein that are not depicted in FIG. 19. In one example, the method 1900includes determining a difference between the characteristic ofelectromagnetic energy received by the electromagnetic energyinterrogation component from the portion of skin and a correspondingcharacteristic of the electromagnetic energy stimulus emitted toward aportion of skin. In another example, the method 1900 includesdetermining a baseline characteristic of the portion of skin.Determining the baseline characteristic of the portion of skin ishelpful in determining portions of skin that do not include regions ofinterest so that treatment composition deposited outside of regions ofinterest is kept at a minimum. In another example, the method 1900includes determining a difference between the characteristic ofelectromagnetic energy received by the electromagnetic energyinterrogation component from the portion of skin and the baselinecharacteristic of the portion of skin.

Embodiments of point applicators described herein are capable of beingused to perform other methods. In one embodiment, an electromagneticenergy response is received from a portion of skin interrogated with anelectromagnetic energy stimulus and discontinuity identificationinformation is determined responsive to receiving the electromagneticenergy response from the portion of skin. A treatment composition isselectively deposited to a region of interest on the portion of skinwhen determining discontinuity identification information is indicativeof a target treatment status.

It should be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, terminologysuch as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inwardly,”“outwardly,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” etc., should beconstrued as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimedsubject matter. Further, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or“having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and“mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompassdirect and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings.

The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation ofthe present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description.However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to beprotected are not to be construed as limited to the particularembodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are tobe regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will beappreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, andequivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all suchvariations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure, as claimed.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property isclaimed are defined as follows:
 1. An applicator, comprising: at leastone treatment composition component configured to selectively deposit atreatment composition at a deposit location on a portion of skin; and adiscontinuity identification component operably coupled to anelectromagnetic energy detector, the component including circuitryconfigured to monitor a level of the one or more parameters as theapplicator traverses the portion of skin and to control the at least onetreatment composition component to selectively deposit the treatmentcomposition to the deposit location on the portion of skin based on oneor more inputs indicative of a decrease in a detected electromagneticenergy response compared to a baseline response from a prior monitoredlevel of the detected electromagnetic energy response and stoppingdeposition when the detected electromagnetic energy response reaches oris near the baseline level from the portion of skin at the depositlocation, wherein the applicator is configured to pass over the skinwhile in a same pass the discontinuity identification component measuresthe baseline response and the at least one treatment compositioncomponent deposits the treatment composition.
 2. The applicator of claim1, wherein the applicator includes a controller configured to determinewhen the one or more inputs indicate that the reflection of light fromthe portion of skin at the deposit location is decreasing.
 3. Theapplicator of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to controlthe at least one treatment composition component to selectively depositthe treatment composition by sending a signal to the at least onetreatment composition component.
 4. The applicator of claim 3, whereinthe at least one treatment composition component is configured todeposit a target amount of the treatment composition in response toreceiving the signal from the controller.
 5. The applicator of claim 3,wherein the at least one treatment composition component is configuredto deposit the treatment composition for a particular amount of time inresponse to receiving the signal from the controller.
 6. The applicatorof claim 5, wherein a target amount of time is based on a speed ofmovement of the applicator with respect to the portion of skin.
 7. Theapplicator of claim 1, wherein the at least one treatment compositioncomponent is configured to stop depositing the treatment composition inresponse to the one or more inputs further indicating that reflection ofan electromagnetic energy interrogation stimulus from the portion ofskin at the deposit location is no longer decreasing.
 8. The applicatorof claim 1, wherein the one or more inputs indicative of the decrease inreflection of the electromagnetic energy interrogation stimulus from theportion of skin at the deposit location is indicative of the applicatorencountering an edge of a treatable region of interest of the portion ofskin.
 9. The applicator of claim 8, wherein the treatable region ofinterest is in the stratum corneum of the portion of skin, and whereinthe treatment composition is a bleaching composition.
 10. The applicatorof claim 8, wherein the treatable region of interest is below thestratum corneum of the portion of skin, and wherein the treatmentcomposition is a composition configured to treat the treatable region ofinterest.
 11. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the treatmentcomposition component includes at least one nozzle and a propulsiondevice configured to propel a droplet of the treatment composition outof an outlet of the at least one nozzle.
 12. The applicator of claim 11,wherein the propulsion device includes one or more of a thermalpropulsion device or a transducer propulsion device.
 13. The applicatorof claim 1, further comprising: a reservoir assembly including areservoir of the treatment composition, wherein the reservoir assemblyis configured to provide the treatment composition to the at least onetreatment composition component.
 14. A method of treating a portion ofskin using an applicator, the method comprising: monitoring a level ofthe one or more spectral parameters as an applicator traverses a portionof skin; actuating delivery of a composition at a deposit location whenmonitoring the level of the one or more parameters as the applicatortraverses the portion of skin indicates a decrease in a detectedelectromagnetic energy response compared to a baseline response from aprior monitored level of the detected electromagnetic energy responseand stopping deposition when the detected electromagnetic energyresponse reaches or is near the baseline level from the portion of skinat the deposit location; and passing the applicator over the skin whilein a same pass the applicator measures the baseline response anddeposits the at least one treatment composition.
 15. The method of claim14, wherein monitoring a level of the one or more parameters as theapplicator traverses the portion of skin includes generating one or moreparameters associated with reflection of light from a portion of skin asthe applicator traverses a portion of skin.
 16. The method of claim 14,wherein the one or more parameters are selected from the groupconsisting of absorbance of electromagnetic energy, reflectance ofelectromagnetic energy, and wavelengths of electromagnetic energy. 17.The method of claim 14, wherein monitoring a level of the one or moreparameters as the applicator traverses the portion of skin includesgenerating one or more parameters associated with spatially resolvedspectra of the portion of skin.
 18. The method of claim 14, whereinmonitoring a level of the one or more parameters as the applicatortraverses the portion of skin includes identifying a change inreflection of light from the portion of skin at a deposit location. 19.The method of claim 14, wherein the change of the level of the one ormore parameters indicating a decrease in reflection of light from theportion of skin at the deposit location indicates an edge portion of atreatable region of interest on the user's skin.
 20. The method of claim19, wherein depositing the treatment composition at the deposit locationincludes depositing the treatment composition on the edge portion of thetreatable region of interest on the portion of skin.
 21. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the applicator traverses the treatable region ofinterest in a plurality of different directions to encounter a pluralityof different edge portions of the treatable region of interest.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the method further includes identifying achange of the level of the one or more parameters when the applicatorencounters each of the plurality of different edge portions of thetreatable region of interest based on an indication of a decrease inreflection of light from the portion of skin at each of the plurality ofdifferent edge portions.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein depositingthe treatment composition at the deposit location includes depositingthe treatment composition on each of the plurality of different edgeportions.